Fantasy: 7 bounce-back candidates to target
Get ready for your season with theScore's 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
It's impossible not to let emotions get involved in your fantasy decision-making. If a player let you down last year, you'll likely pass on drafting them this season - but that's not always a wise choice. Here are seven players coming off disappointing campaigns who we expect to rebound in 2018.
Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of Fantasy Football Calculator and is based on 12-team leagues with standard scoring.
Jameis Winston, QB, Buccaneers
A three-game suspension is looming over Winston entering the season, and will push him into the late rounds or potentially even off fantasy draft boards completely. Winston was a high-end QB2 in each of his first two NFL seasons, before taking a step back in 2017 as he battled a recurring shoulder injury. Turnovers continued to be a problem for the former first overall pick, especially because they caused head coach Dirk Koetter to limit the offense in an effort to protect the ball. However, once Winston was healthy, the offense took a step forward over the final five games of the season, with rookie receiver Chris Godwin emerging as a new weapon. In fact, Winston posted more fantasy points than any QB over that stretch. With so much talent around him, a fourth-year breakout could be in the cards if he can return focused after serving his suspension.
Bounce-back potential: ★★★★★
ADP: 12th round (QB20)
Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans
While the Bucs went against the grain and kept their head coach, the Titans cleaned house, bringing in much-needed new staff to help Mariota and the offense find another gear. Much like Winston, Mariota regressed in his third season, throwing more interceptions (15) than touchdowns (13). New offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur should rectify that, and is building his scheme around Mariota. With receiver Corey Davis expected to make a leap in his sophomore campaign, and with dynamic back Dion Lewis bringing a new element to the offensive attack, Mariota has a chance for a career year.
Bounce-back Potential: ★★★★☆
ADP: 11th round (QB18)
David Johnson, RB, Cardinals
Johnson is coming off a down year - not because of his play, but instead due to a wrist injury that ended his season in Week 1. He's already declared himself 100 percent healthy and is expected to participate fully in OTAs. Even with a new coaching staff in Arizona, there's no reason to doubt Johnson, who's one of the league's few true workhorse backs. DJ is already reiterating his career goal of gaining 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. He came close in 2016 - with 1,239 yards on the ground and 879 yards through the air - so don't bet against him accomplishing the feat in 2018, and don't be scared to take him with a top-five pick.
Bounce-back Potential: ★★★★★
ADP: 1st round (RB4)
Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings
We were robbed of a truly outstanding rookie season when Cook went down with a torn ACL in October. Through four outings, he was on pace for 1,416 rushing yards, 360 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns - numbers that would have made him the RB7 in standard leagues. Anyone forgetting how impressive Cook looked early in the season needs to go back and watch his tape. The Vikings' offense should be even better in 2018, and their defense will put them in position to close out games with the run. You can safely consider Cook in the second half of the first round.
Bounce-back Potential: ★★★★★
ADP: 1st round (RB9)
Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders
After back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns to start his career, Cooper's third season made it seem like the magic spell that gifted him NFL talent had worn off. He managed just 680 yards, and most of that came in a 210-yard performance against the Chiefs in Week 7. Overall, Cooper was barely startable in fantasy throughout the season, and left owners wondering what had happened. Following the campaign, quarterback Derek Carr said Cooper had been playing through injuries, which is a common excuse, but might be legitimate considering how lost the wideout looked at times. The good news is that Cooper is now healthy, while new head coach Jon Gruden has stated the offense will run through him now that Michael Crabtree is gone. It would be shocking for a 23-year-old star to permanently regress the way Cooper did last year, which should give you confidence that he'll regain his pre-2017 form.
Bounce-back Potential: ★★★★☆
ADP: 3rd round (WR14)
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos
Sanders was another receiver whose 2017 production was well off his established stat lines. While battling a high ankle sprain and catching passes from career backup quarterbacks, Sanders struggled to compile even half of his normal year-long totals. Recognizing their QB woes, the Broncos signed Case Keenum in free agency - a move that should immediate pay dividends in the passing attack. As long as he's healthy, Sanders is a draft-day steal at his current ADP in the late sixth round.
Bounce-back Potential: ★★★☆☆
ADP: 6th round (WR30)
Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers
A foot injury sidelined Olsen for 10 weeks in the middle of the 2017 campaign and put his future in doubt. In the offseason, he flirted with moving to the broadcast booth full time, before ultimately inking an two-year extension with Carolina. Olsen's resume speaks for itself, as he's the first tight end in NFL history to record three straight 1,000-yard campaigns. He'll have more competition for targets in 2018 - with Devin Funchess coming off a breakout year and the Panthers adding first-round receiver D.J. Moore and veteran Torrey Smith - but Olsen is Cam Newton's favorite weapon, especially in the red zone. One more top-five season is coming before the 33-year-old really starts to decline.
Bounce-back Potential: ★★★★☆
ADP: 5th round (TE6)
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)